Occupy" protesters ordered to leave or be fined

[William769]

FORT MYERS -
The march is over, but the Occupy Fort Myers protesters want to stay. The group began camping in the park after Saturday's protest, where several hundred walked the streets of downtown Fort Myers.

Now, dozens are camped out in Centennial Park, but the group says without an insurance permit, the City of Fort Myers is asking them to pack up and leave.

A lawyer for the group says that in order to obtain that insurance permit, the group's organizers need to buy a $1 million insurance policy, which is something they say they've reached out to do and found impossible.

"No insurance will cover this. How do you even cover the public?" asks protestor Justin Valo.

http://www.nbc-2.com/story/15743172/2011/10/20/local-occupy-protestors-may-be-forced-to-leave

[valerief]

1. Friggin' Florida asshat government. nt

[William769]

2. Tell me about it.

I live it every friggin day.

[valerief]

3. You have my sympathy. It must hell dealing with all teh stupid. nt

[gratuitous]

4. It's almost touching

It's almost touching to see the sudden concern that elected officials and their corporated puppeteers have for public squares and spaces. These are the same people who want to strip mine Yellowstone or blow the tops off of mountains to get at the coal inside. But they're oh-so-worried about a few tents killing the grass in the park.

*Sniff* It's just so beautiful, man.

[yoyossarian]

5. TOO true!

:toast:

[Warren Stupidity]

6. "the right of the people peaceably to assemble"

Funny how all those rightwing "constitutionalists" are just all crickets over this.

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

And of course the USSC has already incorporated the entire 1st amendment, under the due process clause of the 14th, to apply to the states.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Incorporation_(Bill_of_Rights)

Free speech for corporations, for the people: not so much.

This right is specifically and categorically enumerated in the Bill of Rights. There is no wiggle room at all.

[msongs]

7. the US constitution does NOT mention insurance under rights to assemble peacefully nt

[lynne]

8. This is a normal municipality requirement to hold an event on public property -

- a Certificate of Insurance naming the city as an additional insured is usually required. Its required for festivals and other such events that draw the public.

Protestor Justin Valo, who is quoted in the article, doesn't understand who is being insured. It is not to insure the public but to protect the city against anyone getting hurt or property being damaged during the event and the injured party coming back against the city for reimbursement.

Google "event liability insurance" and you'll find numerous spots online that sell such coverage. I would imagine that the attorney who said they couldn't get it ran into an issue with the type of event. I doubt that any insurer would want to write coverage for a protest as the risk is higher than for festivals and similar public events that the coverage was designed for.

[Warren Stupidity]

9. google first amendment

I don't see the part where an exception is made where government can impose insurance requirements etc on people peaceably assembling.

[EFerrari]

10. Exactly. Just say no to bullsh!t.

[occupyeverywhere]

13. It's amzing how so many people are willing to carry water for TPTB.

[EFerrari]

16. When your boundaries are eroded for years and years

you forget where they are and need to be reminded. :)

[lynne]

11. Oh, please. No one is restricting their ability to peaceably assemble -

- providing they follow the rules and regs of the location they choose. If they don't want to abide by the rules in that spot, they're welcome to assemble in another.

[nadinbrzezinski]

15. Do you realize some of these laws were

put in place to CURTAIL the ability to peaceably petition the government?

But this is a creative talking point, I give you credit for that one.

[EFerrari]

17. That's inside out. There are no rules and regs that trump the 1st Amendment.

[lynne]

12. Google Free Speech Zones -

- and I bet you won't find that in the first amendment either.

[EFerrari]

18. Free Speech Zones were and are unconstitutional.

This country is a free speech zone.

[Warren Stupidity]

19. thanks for proving my point.

[lpbk2713]

14. The RWingers have been wanting to bring back debtor's prisons.

Can't pay your fine? Go to jail and stay until it's paid.
Sounds just like debtor's prison to me. :shrug: